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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
Another Successful Conference –

e Essence of Leadership
With More on the Horizon
Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
How can you top our 69th Annual Conference and newly elected or appointed members of the AASBO
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
Exposition? It won’t be easy. The theme – Racing Board of Directors. They are: Vice President,
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged
to Excellence – was perfect. Except for the fact Francie Wolfe-Baumann; Treasurer, Tyler Moore;
with the task to come up with a theme for my
that before you realized it, the conference was Director of Member Services, Ken McKenzie;
presidency. e theme I chose was something

over. Well, just stay tuned. Plans are underway for Director of Business Administration, Martin
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
a spectacular 70th, marking the third consecutive James; Vendor Representative, Taylor Perkins;

more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy
in-person summer conference since the pandemic Director of Transportation, Christian Miranda;
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
forced us to go virtual. Director of Maintenance and Operations, Roy
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
this year as I share some of the views from my Sucanick; and Director of Educational Programs,
messages as ASBO International President.
Before we leave this year’s conference in the rear Courtney Pina.
Leadership is one of the most important
view mirror, I want to thank everyone who helped

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
one of the most challenging responsibilities.
make it a success – the AASBO Board, the keynote It was also great to see ASBO International
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t
speakers with their inspirational messages, members from Colorado, Washington, South
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
the professional development committees, the Africa, Arizona, and my predecessor, David Lewis,
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
vendors with booths that mirrored the racing the Executive Director of ASBO International.
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
leadership.
theme, educational breakout sessions for AASBO
Envision: One of the most important traits of
members of every profession and job description, Now, it’s time to clean off the windshield and
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
, AASBO Ambassadors, Membership Committee, look to all that lies ahead. The General Election
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
concept of what the organization should stand
corporate partners, conference sponsors, our on November 8 will determine who becomes
for and strive for now and in the future.
incredible staff and volunteers, and, of course, the our next governor and the overall makeup of the
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
over 1,500 in attendance (including families). The Legislature. I strongly encourage you to register
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
conference headed to the finish line with a factual to vote, familiarize yourself with the key issues,
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
look at where Arizona ranks in public education, especially those that impact our schools, and
realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual

and a lively panel discussion that focused on the where the various candidates stand.
Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result.
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
prospects for vouchers, capital funding, and the
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
upcoming election in November. We’re all thankful for the additional funding
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
schools received this year. A special thanks
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
I’d especially like to recognize our incoming goes to the governor, the Legislature, and all
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
President Dale Ponder and his team for putting the organizations working together to make it
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
together a winning conference and thank outgoing happen. The additional money certainly helps,

Leadership also involves another E: Excellence. E ective topics, and the tribute to Carolyn Warner, the iconic Arizona
leaders create an environment that expects — even demands Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought back fond
President Karla Walter for everything you have but it won’t overcome the pain of inflation that
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
done to guide us through another tough year schools and families are feeling.
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
and make AASBO even better. You are fantastic
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments. 2022-2023 year
leaders. I want to congratulate and welcome the Schools have launched the
in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
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